We have been baptized into the body of Christ. Just as different body parts serve different functions and purposes, so we do as well in the body of Christ. When one part of the body suffers, the rest of it suffers too. Not everyone has the same gifts, which benefits the whole body.
The best of all though is love. Chapter 13 is often quoted as a beautiful example or description of love and what it is like. All the best gifts are nothing without love. Paul said, "Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail." (vv.4-7) Love lasts eternally. Gifts of knowledge or inspiration are temporary and partial; when what is perfect comes it replaces the partial with the whole. Mature things replace or complete immature things. Until we are completed we have faith, hope and love; the greatest is love.
Paul hoped that they could all have the gift of proclaiming God's message in plain language, because speaking in tongues doesn't help if nobody can understand what is being said. Paul encouraged those with the gift of tongues to pray with their minds and their spirits to be understood by those who heard them. Paul spoke in tongues and would rather speak 5 words that could be understood than thousands in tongues. Paul instructed them that their worship meetings should be orderly. Different people were to run different parts of the meeting according to their gifts. If someone sitting in the meeting received a message from God, they should share it so everyone can learn and benefit. Paul said women shouldn't speak in a church meeting, that it is disgraceful. If a woman has a question, she should ask her husbands at home. The focus should be on proclaiming God's message, but speaking in tongues was not forbidden.
The greatest message is that Christ died for our sins, he was buried and rose from the grave to life three days later. He appeared to Peter and then to the twelve, and more than 500 of his followers at once, then James and then to all the apostles, and finally to Paul. Paul asked them how some of them could say there was no life after death? If that were true then Christ was not raised and they have nothing to preach about or believe in. They would be lying about God it if weren't true that the dead are raised to life. If there is no resurrection then we are just sad pitiful people. But Christ has been raised to life. Just as death came through one man, Adam, so life has come through one man, Christ. So Christ is resurrected first, then everyone in his turn. Then Christ will deliver the kingdom to God after overpowering every other authority. The final enemy to be abolished is death. Then the Son will subject himself to the Father, who will be everything to everyone and rule completely.
Tomorrow read 1Corinthians 15:29-end; 2Corinthians 1-2
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